Only 51 percent of Ohio voters say their personal finances are OK, but that's 10 times better than
their appraisal of the state and national economies, according to a Quinnipiac University poll
released today.

In a series of questions on the economy, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack)
University poll finds:

4 percent say the national economy is "excellent" or "good," while 95 percent say it's "not
so good" or "poor,"

5 percent say the state economy is "excellent" or "good," while 94 percent say "not so
good" or "poor;"

51 percent say their personal finances are "excellent" or "good" as 47 percent say "not so
good" or "poor."

In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 77 percent say the economy is the
most important problem facing Ohio today, while only 5 percent list education. And 24 percent of
Ohio voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that someone in their family will move out
of the state for better opportunities in the next year.

"There is no doubt that many, many Ohio families are in dire financial straits, and most say
their finances have deteriorated in the last year, but the difference between how people view their
own situation and that of the rest of the state and country is striking," said Peter Brown, assistant
director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Voters support 64 - 33 percent Gov. Ted Strickland's position not to raise taxes to balance
the state budget. Given a choice, 24 percent prefer raising taxes to keep state services at the current
level, while 62 percent say cut programs to keep taxes static.

Support for service cuts over tax hikes is 52 - 33 percent among Democrats, 74 - 14
percent among Republicans and 64 - 24 percent among independent voters. If the axe falls, an
overwhelming number, 69 percent, want lawmakers to set priorities and treat different state
programs differently. Just 24 percent favor across-the-board spending cuts.

"Gov. Strickland has a 54 percent approval rating and one reason he is popular is that he
seems to understand how Ohioans feel," said Brown.

But when it comes to how to improve Ohio's public education system, voters' views are
more difficult to categorize. As is the case with the economy, voters are more likely to see their
local schools as good or excellent, 69 percent, than schools throughout the state, 50 percent.

Spending in the state's poorer school districts should be increased, 55 percent say, while 4
percent want it cut and 36 percent think it should remain the same.

But when asked if they would support a state tax increase to finance those additional funds
for poorer districts, voters are split as 49 percent said yes and 47 percent say no.

To better equalize the amount spent on students in rich and poor school districts, the state
should change how schools are funded, voters say 69 - 19 percent.

And voters are prepared 68 - 24 percent to take money from rich districts and give it to
poor districts. Even Republicans support this redistribution 58 - 34 percent.

In a somewhat contradictory response, only 25 percent say that if taxes are raised to
increase education funding all the money should go to poorer districts, while 66 percent say such
new money should be given equally to all districts.

And voters say 49 - 39 percent that a State Board of Education proposal to increase state
spending by $1 billion to more equalize school funding is a good idea.

"It's fair to say that Ohio voters want to improve public education, especially in poorer
school districts, but there is no consensus about how to do it, and significant opposition to raising
taxes to pay for it," said Brown.

From December 4 - 8, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,468 Ohio voters, with a margin of
error of +/- 2.6 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.

19. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Ohio
today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or
very dissatisfied?

TREND: What do you think is the most important problem facing Ohio today?
(To save space sub category rows showing 1% or less in current study may
have been removed. Totals rows are accurate for date specified.)

28. How likely do you think it is that you, or someone in your family, will
move out of the state for better opportunities in the next year? Would you say
it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?

TREND: How likely do you think it is that you, or someone in your family, will
move out of the state for better opportunities in the next year? Would you say
it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?

30. To balance the state budget next year, if you had to choose, which would
you prefer - raising taxes to keep state services at their current level or
cutting state services to keep taxes at their current level?

31. Governor Strickland has ruled out raising state taxes to alleviate Ohio's
budget situation. Do you agree with him that taxes should not be raised, or do
you think that some tax increase should be considered?

38. In order to reduce the difference between how much money is spent on
students in wealthier districts and poorer districts, do you think it is a
good idea or a bad idea for the state to change how schools are funded?

39. Do you think that the amount of money that goes to education in Ohio should
or should not be the same for all students, even if it means taking funding
from some wealthy school districts and giving it to poor districts?

42. Governor Strickland has not yet revealed details for his education funding
plan but says that if the legislature does not adopt it he would put it on the
ballot for voters to decide. Who do you think should make decisions on changing
Ohio's school funding formula - The state legislature or The voters?

43. If state taxes are raised to increase education funding, do you think that
all of the money should go to Ohio's poorer school districts or that the money
should be distributed equally to all districts?

45. The state Board of Education wants to increase funding for public education
by about $1 billion annually in order to more equalize per student school
funding. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?